Interfacial instabilities in confined displacements involving non-Newtonian fluids

Abstract: The growth of interfacial instabilities during fluid displacements can be driven by gradients in pressure, viscosity and surface tension, and by applying external fields. Since displacements of non-Newtonian fluids such as polymer solutions, colloidal and granular slurries are ubiquitous in natural and industrial processes, understanding the growth mechanisms and fully-developed morphologies of interfacial patterns involving non-Newtonian fluids is extremely important. In this perspective, we focus on {displacement experiments} wherein competition{s} between capillary, viscous, elastic and frictional forces drive the onset and growth of interfacial instabilities in confined geometries. We conclude by highlighting several exciting open problems in this research area.